Over on Twitter, we recently had a discussion over whether or not it was fair for the cinematic version of Dr. Seuss' Lorax to be out shilling for the Mazda CX-5. Turns out, we're not the only ones who question the logic here – the Lorax speaks for the trees, not Skyactiv CUVs, right? Seemingly of like minds, an organization called Rethinking The Automobile is circulating a petition to "Protect The Lorax" by pulling the "offensive" ads.

Rethinking the Automobile is a project of OpenPlans and their petition reads, in part:

in these advertisements Mazda and Universal claim that a new automobile is "Certified Truffula Tree Friendly" and imply an endorsement of their product by the cherished title character of "The Lorax." By airing these advertisements, Mazda and Universal have shamelessly turned a character who has inspired millions of children to care about their environment into a car salesman. Cars--even ones that pollute a little less--are neither kid-friendly nor good for the environment.

This movie Lorax's message, Rethinking The Automobile says, runs counter to "the spirit and message of Dr. Seuss' acclaimed book" and is nothing more than "crass commercialization."

The whole thing is blowing up on Twitter, too, thanks to the #savelorax hashtag and a creature for speaks for the petition, the Zozo. The Zozo is also into "smart transportation solutions including walking, biking, and transit so that kids can grow up in a world with safe, healthy, livable, walkable communities. Zozo works with kids to fix the harm that automobile traffic does to our world."

It isn't immediately clear how many people Rethinking The Automobile represents – a check of its website reveals that the organization was started by a self-described serial entrepreneur, Mark Gorton, who is an advocate for "livable streets."

One thing is clear, however – the CX-5 might be one of the most fuel-efficient crossovers on the market and it may be winning friends among reviewers, but clearly not everyone is pleased... at least with Mazda's marketing efforts. Click past the jump to watch the commercial in question.

Show full PR text

Campaign Launched to Protect The Lorax

Rethinking the Automobile Calls on Mazda and Universal to Pull Offensive Ads

NEW YORK, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rethinking the Automobile, a project of OpenPlans, announced a campaign today to protect the spirit and message of Dr. Seuss' acclaimed book "The Lorax" from crass commercialization.

Zozo, a Henson-created creature, dedicated to promoting smart transportation choices for a healthy world, was announced as the lead spokes-creature for the campaign. Zozo called on Mazda and Universal to pull their offensive ads that imply that The Lorax endorses an SUV.

Since the launch of the commercials, Lorax fans worldwide have been posting their disapproval online. Their posts share a common theme -- using the Lorax to sell automobiles is misleading to children and against the spirit of the original book.

"This advertising campaign goes directly against the message and spirit of The Lorax," said Zozo. "The Lorax speaks for the trees, not the SUVees! I urge Universal, Mazda and their partners to immediately remove from circulation any and all advertising that uses Dr. Seuss' character The Lorax to promote and sell Mazda automobiles."

Zozo advocates for smart transportation solutions including walking, biking, and transit so that kids can grow up in a world with safe, healthy, livable, walkable communities. Zozo works with kids to fix the harm that automobile traffic does to our world.

Zozo launched the campaign on behalf of millions of fans of the popular book, created a petition on Change.org and encourages people to sign that petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/mazda-stop-forcing-the-lorax-to-sell-dangerous-polluting-cars

About Zozo: Zozo is a Henson-created creature that educates children and their families about our built environment and the way it affects us. Zozo stands for greener living by encouraging active transportation like walking and biking and also the importance of sharing our ride to reduce our carbon output. He also helps children understand how changes in the streets such as bike lanes, pedestrian areas, better parks and room for transit can make a better city – and create a sustainable future.

Rethinking the Automobile: "Rethinking the Automobile" is a project created by livable streets advocate Mark Gorton. Its goal is to raise awareness around the negative impact of the automobile on our world. Through public events and media campaigns, Rethinking the Automobile reveals how policies that prioritize the automobile destroy public space in our cities and towns and have created a dangerous and unsustainable world.

About OpenPlans: OpenPlans is a 501(c)3 using technology to change the way that cities and citizens interact. We believe open source, open data, and sustainable mobility options can improve millions of lives. Visit us online at openplans.org.

Reported comments and users are reviewed by Autoblog staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week to determine whether they violate Community Guideline. Accounts are penalized for Community Guidelines violations and serious or repeated violations can lead to account termination.

And of course, a kid could care less about the cutesy little Mazda, it has cool bears and colorful trees aplenty. Now, why on EARTH would a kid care about pollution and/or feel cheated after viewing this. Stupid. It's a fun ad, in a fantasy world.

Israel's about to blow up Iran.
Iran's threatening to close the strait of Hormuz.
The US economy is still in poor shape.
Children are starving in Africa.
And we're worried about a COMMERCIAL?
Gotta have your priorities I suppose.

And I take it that all members of this Rethinking the Automobile organization don't have cars and don't ride busses or trains or planes etc. I love how all these "green people" tell how bad things are for us while some of them are the worst offenders. Just like the activist movie stars that fly around in private jets and drive hummers and the like. Get real... If technology ceased right now they would be the first to start complaining about no electricity, no cars, on and on...

Really? UnFREAKINbelivable! I've seen the commercial, and was no in the least offended. The rethinking the automobile group needs to find worthwhile to protest, like war, famine, healthcare! Idiots! Protesting because a cartoon character is pushing a Mazda vehicle. The country has taken being PC to the extreme.

Also, the baseless statement that "cars....are [not] kid-friendly" is over-reaching...one could extend that same logic to the soon-to-be endless Lorax-related toys, games, stationery, etc. They ALL hurt the environment by consuming resources and likely all use low-wage labor.